Tennis Rackets Guide

Size Guide:

17" - Age 2-3

19" - Age 3-4

21" - Age 5-6

23" - Age 7-8

25" - Age 9-10

26" - Bridging Size

27" - Adult/12+

Some adult rackets may be slightly longer for a little extra velocity in each swing

 

Further things to consider when buying adult rackets:

Head size:

Larger head sizes (645 sq cm+) generate the most power

Average head sizes (620-645 sq cm+) deliver a good balance of power and control

Smaller head sizes (under 620 sq cm) deliver less power giving you more chance to control the ball

Weight:

Heavier rackets (310g+) deliver better power and stability

Average weight rackets (285-310g) are best for control whilst still offering some power, stability and maneuverability

Lighter rackets (285g and under) offer the best maneuverability and playability

Balance:

A racket's balance refers to whereabouts in the racket the majority of the weight is distributed.

If a racket is balanced at 345mm then it is perfectly balanced, however, most players prefer their racket to be head light or head heavy. If the balance is at less than 345mm then the racket is head light and if it is at greater than 345mm it is head heavy. Players who are seeking more power from their racket tend to go for head heavy rackets. Head heavy rackets also deliver better control and stability and are usually preferred by more experienced players. Head light rackets have better maneuverability and are generally preferred by beginners.

Swing weight:

Swing weight refers to how heavy a racket feels to move or its rotational weight resulting from its static mass and its balance point. It's unit is usually kgcm^2, from the SI unit of the moment of inertia, since this is how a racket's swingweight is calculated.

Well balanced rackets will have swingweights usually ranging from 320-360kgcm^2. 

However, many individuals will find there are many advantages that result from using rackets with higher or lower swingweights:

Rackets with higher swingweights require more momentum and effort to hit the ball powerfully but this results in smoother shots. Maneuverability and reactivity will be reduced but this allows for more time to control the ball. They will also have more natural power meaning less swing speed is required to achieve the same level of power in your strokes but longer strokes are required to give good acceleration due to the reduced reactivity of the racket resulting from the reduced swing speed. Rackets with higher swingweights will usually be able to achieve more angular momentum meaning that if swung with speed with have more vertical kinetic energy resulting in more spin.

Rackets with lower swingweights will be more maneuverable and hence reactive. This allows you to generate more swing speed with less effort, preserving your energy and also meaning you can move the racket with the required power to generate good ball acceleration, speed and spin more easily. They however may have less control due to the increased speed of the reaction between the ball and the racket that results when the ball is struck by a fast shot. Furthermore, the racket itself will have less angular momentum meaning less natural power.

 

 

Grip Size:

The vast majority of players will use a grip 3 racket, however, a few may prefer something a little narrower (00, 0, 1 or 2) or wider (4 or 5).

Junior rackets will usually have much smaller grips and will usually range from around 8x0 to 0, relative to the size of the racket.

Materials:

Graphite - An allotrope of carbon, it is the most common material in quality tennis rackets due to its lightweight, strength and stiffness. Its high strength to weight ratio offers both power and maneuverability and its stiffness reduces energy loss through flex so that maximal power is preserved in your shots. It is usually used in conjunction with another material but the more graphite content, the more powerful the racket will be and the better the feel it will have.

Aluminium - Another commonly used material. It is a great option in entry level rackets due to its lightweight but is not as strong, resistant or powerful as materials more commonly used in higher end rackets

Titanium - Used for its durability, rigidity and strength

Fibreglass - Fibreglass may sometimes be used in conjunction with carbon materials which it bonds well with. It has excellent strength properties

Aramid - Aramid is used for shock absorption in some rackets

Other carbons - other carbon fibres are sometimes used generally for similar purposes to graphite